Spring teams have promise

Soggy playing fields and infields featuring traces of quicksand have destroyed a chunk of the spring season so far, but the nasty weather has not dampened the hopes of area teams hoping to reach their ultimate goal State.

Granted, it's still early to throw these squads into the brackets, but there are a few programs from both Basehor-Linwood and Bonner Springs that are forces to be reckoned with.

The Bonner Springs track and field squad came out with a strong display as both teams took third in the Basehor-Linwood Relays. Braves head coach Jim Mitchell has to be pleased with the recent performance early in the season.

Last year, the Braves sent a pair of relay teams to Wichita and are hoping to qualify even more individuals this season.

The Basehor-Linwood baseball and softball teams are currently flexing their muscles, sitting atop the Kaw Valley League standings with a 4-0 overall mark. The competition gets stronger for both squads as they will face Piper and Mill Valley in the next few weeks.

Those tests should tell just exactly where the Bobcats stand on the State meter. Had the rain held off for a day, Santa Fe Trail could have provided an early test for Basehor-Linwood.

Speaking of brutal weather, how can anyone work on their golf game with thunderstorm warnings consistently hitting the area? I feel for both the Braves and Bobcat golfers, who miraculously got two meets in this past week.

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Could "His Airness" be returning to the hardwood?

I haven't watched a quarter of NBA basketball since Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls, and I'd hate to get back in the habit of watching pro hoops should he emerge for a second time.

What does Jordan have left to prove? He already has six rings and numerous MVP awards.

At age 38, I don't know what he can still accomplish, but the word out of Washington is that he is the top player in the Wizards' practices. Is that any surprise?

The Wizards are the equivalent of the Los Angeles Clippers, who we all know happen to be the NBA's whipping boys.

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Now that Troy Aikman has announced his retirement, who will the Chiefs sign as their signal caller?

Suffering numerous concussions throughout his 12-year career, I doubt that the Chiefs were high on Aikman anyway. After all, he probably still doesn't remember where he is now.

Since the Chiefs are staying away from injury-prone quarterbacks, you can probably mark Steve Beuerlein off the list, too.

That said, I'll make the bold prediction that Kansas City will get a deal done for the Rams' Trent Green.

Randy Smith can be reached by phone at 422-4048 or by e-mail at rsmith@bonnersprings.com.